Tornadoes claim 21st victim

The Associated Press

Published Friday, February 16, 2007

LEESBURG -- An 88-year-old man has died from injuries he suffered during the series of deadly tornadoes that ravaged central Florida this month, bringing the death toll to 21, Lake County officials said Thursday.

Albert Gantner died Wednesday at Leesburg Regional Medical Center from injuries he suffered when a tornado obliterated his home in the middle of the night, county officials and son Roger Gantner said. He lived in a Lady Lake mobile home with his wife, Doris, 81, who was killed the night of the storms.

Relatives found Albert Gantner about 50 yards from his wife, and he was rushed to the hospital. He suffered a concussion and broken collarbone and vertebrae during the storm, his family has said.

The couple had lived in Roger Gantner's mobile home for the past 11 years after running a restaurant in Tennessee.

Albert Gantner battled Parkinson's Disease and had been confined to a wheelchair for the last several years.

He was the eighth fatality from Lady Lake. Thirteen people died in Lake Mack.

As recovery efforts continue in damaged areas, the federal government awarded a $2 million grant to the Florida Agency of Workforce Innovation to create about 160 temporary jobs assisting the cleanup.

"The recent tornado devastation in Florida has left several counties in need of extensive cleanup and repair," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao in a statement. "This $2 million grant will provide temporary jobs to dislocated workers to help communities recover and deliver aid to fellow Floridians who have suffered loss and damage."

On Feb. 3 the Federal Emergency Management Agency declared the counties of Lake, Seminole, Sumter and Volusia eligible for the agency's Public Assistance Program.